Pope Leo XIV waves upon arriving at Callao Air Base in Callao, Peru, during the final leg of his 12-day Latin American tour. (EPA Images pic)PERU: Pope Leo XIV arrived in Peru on Wednesday, a nostalgic return to the nation where he spent two decades as a missionary before being tapped to lead the world's 1.4 billion Catholics.

The 71-year-old pontiff landed in Lima on the final leg of an arduous 12-day Latin American tour, just weeks after undergoing surgery for lung cancer.

"He is coming home," said 32-year-old street vendor Alexander Torres in the Peruvian capital. "He will be welcomed as if he never left the country."

"The pope is Peruvian!" cried some of the faithful, who lined the streets dozens-deep along the route from the airport, as phalanxes of soldiers in red and green berets stood guard.